Free Thirteen by Tom Hoyle Page B

it fell short, on to the tracks in front of her platform. Almost immediately the train was sitting over it like a dinosaur shielding an egg. There was no way that Cassie could get to it until the train pulled away.
    Curious onlookers muttered and nudged, including some from Adam’s group.
    â€œGrant, you’re so stupid,” said Jake. “I’ve had dumps that are more intelligent than you. I don’t know why a pretty thing like Meggie wastes her time with you.” At that moment Adam’s train arrived and they all flooded on.
    Adam found himself able to look out of the window and see the train on Cassie’s platform pull out, revealing the case.
    Despite the shock of onlookers and shouts from attendants on the station, Cassie leaped onto the tracks. Adam peered down from his train.
    With terrifying presence of mind, she glanced up and smiled. “Thanks.” And, looking pretty, and innocent and attractive in ways that still affected Adam despite everything, she added, “See you soon.”
    Then, case in her arms, she leaped back up on to the platform. Several travelers gathered around her.
    Seconds later she turned back toward Adam, fire in her eyes and snarling. She was looking for the fastest way to reach him.
    Adam gave a weary smile from his train as it slowly pulled away.
    She showed him the broken clasp on the case. Broken with a tent hammer.
    Adam held up a large envelope in one hand and his backpack in the other.
    Cassie, lips tight and fists clenched, shrieked and yelled at Adam’s train window as it slid away down the track. The people near her backed away, confused and frightened.
    Adam put the envelope in his bag. Inside was £1,000 in fifties and twenties. Cassie was not worried by the loss of the money. “Money is just paper,” Coron would say, “and we can always get more.” She was more worried by the loss of her weapon, now in Adam’s backpack. But she was most worried by what Coron’s reaction would be.
    Not only did Adam live, but he now had a gun.
    Megan looked on, realizing that something strange and dark had happened.
    Adam was light-headed as he turned to Leo and sighed.
I’m a thirteen-year-old boy killer with a gun
, he thought. Not that he knew how to use it; Adam imagined waving it, looking threatening. They wouldn’t know he was frightened by its cold, noisy, flesh-tearing potential. Once he was home safely he would drop it in the river, or hide it in the rubbish.
    Home. I’ll be safe soon
, he thought.
They don’t know who I am or where I live. It will all be over soon
.
    Back on the platform, Cassie—Viper—watched the train amble away down the track to London. “You don’t know who or what you’re dealing with,” she muttered.

16
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013
    â€œWhat! How?” Coron smashed his fist into his desk, then held his head in his hands. “The Master will make me suffer for this.” He paused. “Someone has to pay—someone will have to be sacrificed.”
    Viper, Cobra and Asp stood in front of Coron. They were no longer three relaxed festival goers. “Cassie,” “Keenan” and “Sofia” were now terrified servants. They knew what Coron could do. Fear and love of him were woven together in their minds.
    â€œWhere is Python’s body?” Coron murmured.
    Cobra, suddenly looking younger than his fifteen years, spoke first. “Marcia collected it when she picked us up. It’s in the trunk of the car. We carried it from the Hill of Sacrifice to the lane on the far side.”
    â€œSacrifice! Sacrifice? There will be sacrifice, believe me. Take the body downstairs,” said Coron coldly. “Python failed me—and he failed the Master. Leave his body for us all to see. And he may yet be more use in death than he was in life.” Coron looked at his hands, red from thumping the table. “How did this happen? Whose fault